GB878818A - Improved gas pressure levitation device - Google Patents

Abstract

878,818. Vehicles supported by gaseous cushions. FORD MOTOR CO. Ltd. June 25, 1959 [June 25, 1958], No. 21813/59. Class 4. [Also in Group XXXIV] A gas pressure levitation device for supporting an object in spaced relationship from a supporting surface comprises a bearing member having a substantially flat bearing surface and a curved bearing surface, said bearing member having a plurality of nozzles positioned therein terminating at said substantially flat bearing surface, means for supplying said nozzles with a compressed gas, and means having a curved bearing surface adapted to carry an object to be supported, said bearing surface being complementary to the curved bearing surface on said bearing member and positioned there-against so that relative motion about said curved bearing surface may take place between said bearing member and the object to be supported. The device comprises a platform 45 and control handle 46 and a plurality of supporting units each comprising a main member 10 having a substantially flat bearing surface 12 and a complementary member 11 provided respectively with mating part-spherical surfaces 13 and 24. Member 11 is secured to platform 45 by screws 36. A collar 27, secured to member 10 by screws 32, houses a plurality of adjustable springs 34 which maintain surfaces 13 and 24 in contact. A cover plate 16 is secured to member 10 by screws 17 to form a manifold 18 and is provided with a union 22 for connection to a source (not shown) of compressed gas. The gas issues from manifold 18 through a plurality of nozzles 14, constructed to produce sonic flow, to create between the surface 12 and a co-operating supporting surface a thin film of gas. Slight irregularities in the supporting surface are accommodated by tilting of member 10 with respect to member 11.